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Senior Software Engineer Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Senior Software Engineer

Washington, DC · On-site

$170K - $230K/yr

Senior Software Engineer Location: Washington, DC Category: Software Engineering Schedule: Standard Day Shift, Monday-Friday Clearance Requirement: Active Secret security clearance (required ...

Senior Software Engineer

Reston, VA

$127K - $168K/yr

The Senior Software Engineer shall perform with a high degree of independence and expertise to implement solutions for a variety of complex software products/features... both wholly new efforts and ...

Senior Software Engineer

Reston, VA · On-site

$127K - $168K/yr

The Senior Software Engineer shall perform with a high degree of independence and expertise to implement solutions for a variety of complex software products/features... both wholly new efforts and ...

Senior Software Engineer Location: Annapolis Junction, MD Required Clearance : TS/SCI w/ Full-Scope Poly Salary: Competitive We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Senior Software Engineer ...

Senior Software Engineer

Annapolis Junction, MD · On-site

$134K - $177K/yr

The role of Sr. Software Engineer includes developing, maintaining, and enhancing software systems in accordance with project requirements. Works effectively both independently and collaboratively ...

Senior Software Engineer

Washington, DC · On-site

$100K - $160K/yr

As a Senior Software Engineer, you will design, develop, and maintain robust software solutions that meet the highest standards of quality, performance, and security. You will solve complex technical ...

Senior Software Engineer

Mclean, VA · On-site +1

$123K - $163K/yr

Senior Software Engineer Astor & Sanders Corporation (Astor), an award-winning IT solutions provider headquartered in McLean, VA, is seeking a Senior Software Engineer This is a full-time position ...

Senior Software Engineer

Mclean, VA · Hybrid

$123K - $163K/yr

Senior Software Engineer Location: McLean, VA or Richmond, VA Work Environment: Hybrid Role Sumary: As a Senior Software Engineer at Exiger, you will be responsible for designing and developing ...

Senior Software Engineer

Mclean, VA · Remote

$125K - $165K/yr

Senior Software Engineer Astor & Sanders Corporation (Astor), an award-winning IT solutions provider headquartered in McLean, VA, is seeking a Senior Software Engineer .  This is a full-time ...

Senior Software Engineer

Mclean, VA · Remote

$123K - $163K/yr

Senior Software Engineer Astor & Sanders Corporation (Astor), an award-winning IT solutions provider headquartered in McLean, VA, is seeking a Senior Software Engineer . This is a full-time position ...

Senior Software Engineer

Mclean, VA · Hybrid

$123K - $163K/yr

Senior Software Engineer Location: McLean, VA or Richmond, VA Work Environment: Hybrid Role Summary: As a Senior Software Engineer at Exiger, you will be responsible for designing and developing ...

Senior Software Engineer

Mclean, VA · On-site

$123K - $163K/yr

As a Senior Software Engineer , you will also contribute to a variety of areas including: * Leading projects and acting as a mentor to less experienced developers * Collaborating with the TRSS ...

Senior Software Engineer

Springfield, VA · On-site

$140K - $160K/yr

As a Senior Software Engineer, you will play a key role in supporting the Geospatial Intelligence Agency (NGA) by designing, developing, and maintaining geospatial intelligence applications. Your ...

Senior Software Engineer

Mclean, VA · On-site +1

$123K - $163K/yr

As a Senior Software Engineer , you will also contribute to a variety of areas including: * Leading projects and acting as a mentor to less experienced developers * Collaborating with the TRSS ...

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Showing results 1-20

Senior Software Engineer information

See Washington salary details

$85.5K

$162.3K

$217.5K

How much do senior software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior software engineer in Washington is $162,292.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $138,700.00 and $182,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Are senior software engineers still in demand?

Senior software engineers remain in high demand due to ongoing digital transformation across industries. They are sought after for their expertise in programming languages, software development, and system architecture, with opportunities often requiring experience with cloud platforms and modern frameworks.

What is a good salary for a senior software engineer?

A senior software engineer's salary typically ranges from $100,000 to $160,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and industry. In high-cost areas or with specialized skills like cloud computing or machine learning, salaries can exceed this range. Compensation may also include bonuses, stock options, and benefits.

What are Senior Software Engineers?

Senior Software Engineers are experienced professionals who design, develop, and maintain complex software systems. They often lead technical projects, mentor junior team members, and make architectural decisions. Their role involves collaborating with stakeholders to understand requirements, ensuring code quality, and staying up-to-date with the latest technologies. Senior Software Engineers are expected to have strong problem-solving skills and a deep understanding of software development best practices.

What Is a Senior Software Engineer?

A senior software engineer designs, codes, tests, and maintains computer software. While these are your primary responsibilities as a senior software engineer, you may also have supervisory duties. These include overseeing a team of junior software engineers or developers. The senior software engineer title is sometimes used interchangeably with senior developer, and positions for both may share similar job duties and responsibilities. In general, software engineers are distinguished from developers in that software engineers apply engineering principles to software development.

What engineers make $500,000?

Senior software engineers in high-demand industries or at large tech companies can earn $500,000 or more annually, often through a combination of base salary, bonuses, and stock options. Achieving this level typically requires extensive experience, specialized skills in areas like machine learning or cloud computing, and working in competitive markets or leadership roles.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior Software Engineers with extensive experience, specialized skills in areas like machine learning or cloud computing, and working at large tech companies or in high-cost-of-living regions can earn $300,000 or more annually. Compensation often includes base salary, bonuses, and stock options, especially for those in leadership or highly technical roles.

What are some common challenges Senior Software Engineers face when mentoring junior team members?

Senior Software Engineers often mentor junior colleagues, which can be incredibly rewarding but also presents challenges. Balancing mentorship with project deadlines can be demanding, as it requires strong time management and communication skills. Additionally, adapting explanations to different learning styles and levels of experience can be tricky. However, effective mentorship helps build a stronger team and can lead to enhanced leadership opportunities for the senior engineer.

What is the difference between Senior Software Engineer vs Software Developer?

AspectSenior Software EngineerSoftware Developer
CredentialsBachelor's or higher in CS or related field; experience often 5+ yearsBachelor's in CS or related field; entry to mid-level experience
Work EnvironmentDesigning complex systems, leading projects, mentoringWriting code, developing features, debugging
Industry UsageUsed across tech companies, startups, enterpriseCommon in software firms, startups, freelance work
Search & ComparisonOften compared for experience level, responsibilitiesCompared for entry-level to mid-level roles

The main difference between a Senior Software Engineer and a Software Developer lies in experience, responsibilities, and scope. Senior Software Engineers typically have more experience, lead projects, and mentor others, while Software Developers focus on coding and feature development. Both roles are essential in tech companies, but the Senior Software Engineer position involves higher-level planning and leadership.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Senior Software Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Senior Software Engineer, you need advanced programming skills, deep understanding of software architecture, and several years of experience in software development, often supported by a relevant degree. Familiarity with tools like Git, CI/CD pipelines, cloud platforms, and expertise in technologies such as Java, Python, or JavaScript are typically required. Leadership, problem-solving, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for mentoring teams and collaborating across departments. These skills ensure the delivery of robust, scalable solutions and drive successful project outcomes in complex technical environments.
What are the most commonly searched types of Software Engineer jobs in Washington? The most popular types of Software Engineer jobs in Washington are:
What are popular job titles related to Senior Software Engineer jobs in Washington? For Senior Software Engineer jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Senior Software Engineer jobs in Washington look for? The top searched job categories for Senior Software Engineer jobs in Washington are:
What cities in Washington are hiring for Senior Software Engineer jobs? Cities in Washington with the most Senior Software Engineer job openings:

Senior Software Engineer

TAP Engineering

Washington, DC • On-site

$170K - $230K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 26 days ago


Job description

Senior Software Engineer

Software | Washington, DC | Full Time

Position: Senior Software Engineer
Location: Washington, DC
Category: Software Engineering
Schedule: Standard Day Shift, Monday–Friday
Clearance Requirement: Active Secret security clearance (required)
Experience Requirement: Senior-level
Compensation Range: $191,000 – $254,000 (based on experience)


Position Overview

We are seeking a Senior Software Engineer to support the design and development of software for next-generation hardware platforms in a mission-focused environment. This role focuses on building, validating, and maintaining software that supports advanced systems — including embedded platforms operating in constrained environments. The ideal candidate has strong programming skills, experience across the software stack, and a security-focused mindset. Candidates with a background in embedded systems are encouraged to apply, though it is not a strict requirement for this role.


Key Responsibilities

  • Design and develop software infrastructure that is rigorously tested and validated
  • Build and maintain the software ecosystem supporting next-generation hardware platforms
  • Develop and implement security controls for system devices, including embedded platforms where applicable
  • Create and maintain automated tests to validate system functionality
  • Debug complex software issues, including hardware/software integration where relevant
  • Collaborate with hardware, systems, and security engineers throughout the development lifecycle

Required Qualifications

  • Proficiency in Python, C, and/or C++
  • Strong understanding of software architecture and software design principles
  • Experience with debugging and software integration
  • Ability to obtain and maintain an active Secret security clearance

Preferred Qualifications

  • Hands-on experience developing software in embedded or resource-constrained environments
  • Experience with hardware/software integration and debugging complex system-level issues
  • Experience developing operating system components or low-level system software
  • Strong focus on secure software development practices
  • Experience working with complex System-on-Chip (SoC) platforms
  • Familiarity with standard I/O interfaces such as UART, I2C, SPI, eMMC, and similar
  • Experience implementing security mechanisms such as Control Flow Integrity

Benefits Overview

TAP Engineering offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package, including:

  • Paid Time Off: 15–25 days annually based on tenure, plus 11 paid holidays (never use-or-lose)
  • Retirement: Up to 15% employer contribution to a 401(k) through match and profit sharing
  • Medical Coverage: Free medical insurance for employees, with optional buy-up plans for dependents
  • Dental & Vision: Employer-paid plans with optional enhancements
  • Insurance Coverage: Employer-paid life insurance, AD&D, short-term disability, and long-term disability
  • Flexible Spending Accounts: Healthcare and dependent care FSAs
  • Tuition Reimbursement: Up to $36,000 per year for approved coursework
  • Additional Benefits: Employee Assistance Program, wellness incentives, discount programs, virtual care, prescription savings, and travel support
  • Performance-Based Rewards: Merit increases, performance bonuses, and referral bonuses

Clearance Requirement

This position requires an active Secret security clearance. Clearance processing and maintenance will be conducted in accordance with U.S. Government requirements.

TAP Engineering is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by law.

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